Mrs. B's Read to Lead Blog: Code Name Verity

Summary: Code Name Verity is a historical fiction novel based around a platonic female friendship during World War II. It follows the stories of Maddie, a pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, and her best friend, Julie aka Queenie, a radio operator turned spy for the British. As the war in France escalates, Maddie is given an opportunity to do much more than just transport. Her assignments are marked with an “S,” indicating classified Royal Air Force special duties. It could be passengers, locations, or schedules and they all must remain top secret. After overcoming dozens of obstacles like broken planes, bad weather, and bombings, Maddie is chosen for her most dangerous mission yet, transporting her best friend, Queenie.

Their plane is struk by anticraft fire and Queenie parachutes out. She is captured and becomes a prisoner of the Germans and is being tortured by the Gestapo unless she gives them information. In her confessional letters she buries code on how to destroy the buildings and take down the enemy. Maddie turns to the French resistance to try to save her friend. I don't want to spoil it but this is a book about friendship and bravery in extraordinary circumstances. The twists and turns will leave you guessing and even bring you to tears because you will be so invested in these characters who have so much love for each other.

Wein, E. (2012). Code name Verity. New York: Hyperion.

Commentary: This book starts out slow simply because of the plane lingo and detail. Then the tale picks up after Queenie is captured and begins her confession. I think that students will especially enjoy this book because it speaks to them about true friendship, faith and loyalty, a kind they may never have experienced plus it's all wrapped up in a war story. Some teenagers may think that this book is just for girls because of the main characters but that is very far from the truth. I think male or female that they would enjoy the characters, the history and story behind this book.

Connections: I would consider this book a Historial Fiction novel that is written in a narrative format, journal entries and letters along with factual recall from the perspective of 2 different characters, Julie and Maddie. Teenagers will lie the espionage, war and friendship aspects of this book.

Elizabeth Wein's webpage

Author reading of a bit of Code Name Verity